Agronomist: Job Description, Duties, Salary and Outlook

Learn about the education and preparation needed to become an agronomist. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about schooling, job duties and certification to find out if this is the career for you.

Agronomists, or crop scientists, require a bachelor's degree, although many professions require a master's or doctorate degree. They need to possess skills in math, analytics, and excellent writing abilities. These professionals have a median salary around $50,000 per year.

Essential Information

Agronomists, sometimes known as crop scientists, specialize in producing and improving food crops through conducting experiments and developing methods of production. As plant scientists, agronomists can have many career paths, but their careers are generally focused on increasing the quality and amount of food produced for the nation's food supply. They can be teachers, agricultural business consultants, researchers, or even work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They often work in the field, on farms, or in agricultural labs and mills. A bachelor's degree is required to become an agronomist, although many professionals obtain further degrees. Agricultural scientists have a positive career outlook due to the continuous need for the food crops they help develop.

Required Education

Bachelor's degree

Projected Job Growth

5% from 2014-2024*

Median Salary (2016)

$49,840 annually**

Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; **Payscale.com

Agronomist Job Duties

Agronomists have varied duties that require them to think critically to solve problems. First and foremost, agronomists experiment and plan studies to improve crop yields. They study a farm's crop production in order to discern the best ways to plant, harvest, and cultivate the plants, regardless of the climate. It is also important for agronomists to develop methods to control weeds and pests to keep crops disease-free.

Agronomists often use mathematical and analytical skills in conducting their work and experimentation. Complex data and information that they develop must be worked into a serviceable format for public consumption. Agronomists relay their information in written form, making presentations and speeches as well as responding diplomatically to sensitive issues regarding their findings. Their ultimate goal is to work scientifically to produce the finest crops, on the most consistent basis that they can, in any situation.

Salary Information for Agronomists

Agronomists have a fairly wide salary range in the U.S. In January 2016, PayScale.com reported that most agronomists earned average base salaries between $34,991 - $79,048 per year, with a total compensation, including bonuses, commission, and profit sharing, ranging from $33,892 - $84,353 annually.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), though certification is not required, agronomists who are professionally certified may have a better opportunity to earn a higher salary than those who aren't certified (www.bls.org).

Agronomists can seek voluntary certification through the American Society of Agronomy (www.agronomy.org). To be eligible to become a Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg), candidates must pass an exam and have a specific combination of education and experience. The higher a candidate's education level, the less professional experience is required.

Agronomist Career Outlook

In 2015 the BLS projected a 5% job growth for agricultural scientists, including agronomists, for the decade of 2014-2024. This rate of growth is consistent with the average growth projected for most occupations.

According to the BLS, job prospects are good in many fields for agronomists with bachelor's degrees. Agronomists with graduate degrees should also enjoy good prospects, though research and teaching opportunities at the higher academic levels may not be plentiful.

While some agronomists will be able to find positions in related fields, the BLS noted, as a whole this career is more stable than many, even with potential economic fluctuations. This is because food is a staple item in constant demand. Layoffs in the field are less common as a result of this stability

Agronomists focus their work on the production of crops. These professionals can work in fields such as teaching, agricultural business consulting, or for the USDA. They have a job growth outlook that is about average.